Universe's Uncaused Existence: A Philosophical and Scientific Inquiry
Is the universe a contingent or necessary being? This question delves into deep philosophical and scientific territory, often veiled in religious constructs. While some argue that a necessary being exists to explain the universe's origin, others dismiss this idea and argue instead that everything in the universe is contingent caused. Let us explore this concept further.
Understanding Contingent and Necessary Beings
When philosophers discuss contingent and necessary beings, they are typically referring to propositions and their relationships. A necessary proposition is one that must be true, while a contingent proposition can be either true or false. For instance, the statement 'I have a cat' and 'My cat is called Mittens' are in a necessary relationship because if the first is true, the second must also be true. However, 'I have a cat' and 'I have a dog' are in a contingent relationship, as one can exist without the other.
The Nature of the Universe
The universe, however, does not conform to such relationships in the same manner. It is composed of contingent causes. Nothing in the universe can exist without a cause. This means that every event, every object, and every phenomenon in the universe has a reason for its existence. Whether we understand this cause or not, it exists.
Examples of Contingent Causes
Random Events: Even random events, such as the spontaneous emission of a particle from a radioactive element, are not uncaused. This particle's emission is caused by the instability of the radioactive material. Similarly, the quantum mechanics concept of a vacuum spawning particles is not uncaused but rather due to a field of random particles.
Pain in the Knee: Pain is defined as a localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder. Thus, there is always a cause for pain, even if we do not fully understand it.
Phantom Pain: An amputee experiencing phantom pain is not caused by a non-existent limb but by the brain. The brain maintains the functionality of the area that controlled the amputated limb.
Logical Consistency in Reality
The concept of something existing without a cause is a fundamental misunderstanding of the persistent and consistent nature of reality. If we were to imagine an unexpected sound from behind us, our natural reaction would be to turn and investigate its cause. Similarly, if we found a pocket watch, we would question its origin, not accept that it appeared uncaused. We would be especially perplexed if this idea were extended to medical diagnoses, as doctors would not accept uncaused pain.
The Scope of Our Knowledge
The idea of uncaused existence challenges the very foundation of our knowledge system. Our knowledge is based on the persistent and consistent nature of reality. If things could exist uncaused, then our knowledge would be undermined. For example, if two plus two could equal five because one of the twos was uncaused, this would render mathematics and science meaningless. This applies to all areas of our reality, not just within the universe.
Existence Outside the Universe
While this argument does not directly address beyond the universe, it does highlight the practicality and necessity of causality. Any concept of a being or existence outside our universe remains beyond the scope of our current knowledge and would only add to the complexity of this discussion.